Chapter 4: The Academy

"WHAT?! HOW?!"

Josh has been surprised so much. He hugs Polar Panda so hard with trembling hands and tearing eyes. He keeps on saying "WHAT?! HOW?!" until his voice got rough and speaking hurts his throat.

It took about an hour for him to calm down a bit.

"Okay. Let us not mess this up. 8 am sharp tomorrow in the Neutral Magic Kingdom's central plaza. I will need to go through 2 teleportation shuttles, but the cost might be a stretch… Okay, I will just take a cab from here to the 2nd teleportation shuttle. The place near the central plaza usually have heavy traffic… yeah, it's better to teleport from there."

"Next, clothes then my hygiene pack, and, of course, Polar Panda."

"Gotta wake up early… about 3 am for the cab."

"Good night polar panda. I'm sorry. It must not be cozy in the backpack but I'm afraid of the slim chance that I leave you."

…

'HOLY SHEEP!'

'THAT CAB TOOK ALMOST 4 HOURS'

'FUCK 7:55 am. Oh my god! I wish they are still here…'

"Good morning kind sir! Did you perhaps see a group of teens about the age of 17 to 18 here in the central plaza?"

"Ohh! the yearly gathering for the magic academy? Yeah, they are in front of the park."

"Thank you so much, sir!"

Josh run with all his strength. When he saw a large group of teens in front of him, he smiled so wide from ear to ear.

"AND FINISH, 7:59 am WA HA HA HA! I'm the best!"

When the clock on his cellphone hit 8 am, a man in a blue suit suddenly appeared in front of the teens.

"Good morning kids. I am Rowick. I called you yesterday to gather here. Let's see… 59… and 60. Okay, you are all here. And others who hope to sneak…"

Suddenly, a dozen in the group run away. But before they get far enough, magically, they appeared in front of Rowick.

"Okay, all the party bombers are arrested."

Rowick threw a blue ball in the air then it suddenly expanded to a huge gate.

"Enter here kids! We will now depart to Advance Magic Academy!"

Those near the front of the plaza entered. Some of them run in frenzy afraid that the instructors only mistook their passing marks, while others walked in an air of pride matching that of a prince. Josh is one of the frenzied guys even bumping into those walking slowly.

"Fuck! Look where you running at plebeian! Why does the academy even accept someone with clothes like yours?"

"Hey! Shit! My new shoes!"

Josh did not even look back. He did not care about those passing remarks he got from his bumps. The only thing on his mind is the huge gate that seemed to be a miracle for his life.

...

After entering the gate, the first thing that Josh saw is a huge marble fountain. The fountain has its colors changing in the spectrum of the rainbow making the place look magical. On the four opposing sides of the fountain, paths made of differing materials lay. In the north, the path is made of glowing red rocks. In the east, the path is made of glowing blue rocks. And finally, in the west, it is made of glowing yellow rocks.

The path that is Josh is currently standing at is the south. Its color is deep black like that of the universe with touches of the different colors of stars making the entrance to the academy look very magical.

"Whooooaaa"

Everyone that has entered the gate stopped and some even fall due to the continuous flow from the outside. And yet, they did not care since their eyes are too focused on the scenery they are seeing.

"D-do I really get to study in this p-place?" Josh can't help but stutter in fright and excitement from everything that he's seeing.

...

Suddenly, Rowick appeared at the top of the fountain floating.

"Hahaha! You should look at yourself in the mirror. Your expressions are just like mine when I first entered here."

"Magical, isn't it? Well, this is just the tip of the iceberg. You will see more magical things and when I say more, I'd say UNENDING. Since this is the Advance Magic Academy! Now, welcome new students. Welcome to my alma mater! Things might get tough, but I hope to see you improving on these grounds!"